GILT is an advocacy organization working to support the Rivertowns Villages, their residents, and local community groups involved in maintaining, preserving and protecting open space and parkland.
Through the volunteer efforts of its Board and local residents, GILT works on a wide range of projects addressing the environmental health and resiliency of woodlands and open space across the Rivertowns, the development of municipal policies supporting the protection of local ecosystems, the promotion of environmental education for both students and adults, and the preservation and protection of open space and parklands.
Protection of the Irvington Woods
Beginning in 2017, GILT conducted extensive research about the history, ownership, and conditions of the Irvington Woods, one of the largest woodlands in southern Westchester. Building on that research, in February 2018, GILT petitioned the Irvington Board of Trustees to designate as public parkland the portions of the Irvington Woods owned by the Village in fee simple and, potentially, at risk of future development. After studying the extensive materials submitted by GILT, in April 2019 the Village dedicated an additional 48 acres of Village-owned property as public parkland and created the new 241-acre Irvington Woods Park.
Creation of a new Saw Mill River Park in Dobbs Ferry
At the request of a local resident in Dobbs Ferry, GILT researched and documented the history of the woodland area adjacent to the Saw Mill River in Dobbs Ferry. Working with the Dobbs Ferry Sustainability Committee and the Village of Dobbs Ferry, GILT prepared and submitted an application, supporting materials and exhibits to acquire this State-owned 8.4-acre parcel as surplus property from the New York State Department of Transportation. The purpose of this transaction is for the Village of Dobbs Ferry to acquire and combine this parcel of property with two adjacent, park parcels owned by the Village and, thereby, create a new 14.8-acre, Village-owned park along the Saw Mill River. GILT continues to work on this project with the Dobbs Ferry Conservation Advisory Board, and members of the Dobbs Ferry community.
Restoring a Swamp Milkweed Wet Meadow in the Irvington Woods
In early 2025 GILT received grant funding from the New York Pollinator Conservation Fund and the Village of Irvington to restore and manage a Swamp Milkweed Meadow in the Irvington Woods Park just south of the O’Hara Nature Center and to support and expand work by GILT and the Village of Irvington Woods Committee (“IWC”) on pollinator-related research, monitoring, education, and outreach. GILT is currently working with the O’Hara Nature Center, members of the Irvington Woods Committee, and local students on designing this new meadow, clearing invasives and creating a plan to plant swamp milkweed and other native plants to support pollinators and other wildlife in the Irvington Woods.
Working to protect Canada Goose Pond in Tarrytown
Working with the local residents who lived around Canada Goose Pond just north of East Sunnyside Lane, GILT provided historical research and strategy advice in support of their successful efforts to preserve and protect that pond from development.
Protection of Halsey Pond Park
In January 2021, GILT petitioned the Board of Trustees to designate the 16.79-acre area surrounding Halsey Pond as public parkland. After studying the extensive materials submitted by GILT, in June 2021 the Village dedicated all this property as public parkland, thus protecting it from future development. GILT also appeared and actively participated in the Limited Site Development Plan approval process before the Irvington Planning Board for the property just north of Halsey Pond. As a result of those efforts, the Planning Board conditioned its site approval on the creation of a Conservation Buffer surrounding this property and the development of a Conceptual Landscape Plan that will protect Halsey Pond and the surrounding Halsey Pond Park from harmful runoff and effluents.
Creation and support of local Pollinator Pathway projects
In the fall of 2019, GILT launched the first Pollinator Pathway project in the Rivertowns. Through this Project, GILT funded and supported efforts to create pollinator gardens at the Irvington Public Library, on the Old Croton Aqueduct, and in other locations across Irvington, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings and East Irvington. GILT also ran its Living Classroom speaker series, which provided free presentations on a range of environmental issues important to residents, including the importance of native plants, pollinators and threats of excessive use of pesticides. GILT has continued these efforts through its support of Pollinator Projects throughout the Rivertowns and its active role in Pollinator Pathway, Inc., the national organization promoting this important work.
Creation of the Small Community Grant Program
In 2024, the GILT Board of Directors established a new Small Community Grant Program to provide financial support for local, community-based projects that advance and promote the preservation and protection of open space in our communities. In 2024, GILT issued grants to four community organizations supporting projects in Irvington and Dobbs Ferry. In 2025, GILT expanded this Grant Program by providing increased funding to six community organizations in Tarrytown, Irvington and Dobbs Ferry.
Proposed Solar Panel project on Columbia University’s Nevis estate
GILT appeared before the Irvington Planning Board and actively participated in the Site Development Plan process initiated by Columbia University and Siemens Industries to create a solar panel array across large sections of the University’s Nevis property.
Funding Restoration Projects in the Irvington Woods
Working with the O’Hara Nature Center and the Irvington Woods Committee, GILT funded and supported projects in the Irvington Woods, including an Eagle Scout trail project and the DEC/Saratoga Nursery Tree Planting Project. GILT has worked closely with the Director of the O’Hara Nature Center to support the Center’s work in the Irvington Woods and recently did a presentation for the students in the Changing Harvard Forest Research Project about the history of the Irvington Woods.
The Little Leaf Project
GILT has supported and provided funding for The Little Leaf Project, which was started by a local Irvington High School Student. This project involves building 3 new simple garden structures, with 12-foot walls of deer enclosures, at Dows Lane School in Irvington. With these garden beds the families of new kindergartners are able to support the purchase of native tree saplings that their child can plant in their grade’s garden bed. When these former students graduate from the Dows Lane school, they will be able to dig up their tree and have them planted in the Irvington Woods. The goal of this Project is to introduce the environment and hands on learning to young children while promoting the growth and regeneration of the woodlands in the Irvington Woods.
Native Plant Policy for Village-Owned Property
Following a two-year effort by GILT, the Village of Irvington Sustainability Director and the Irvington Tree Commission to develop and draft a new policy statement requiring the use of native plants on Village-owned property, in April 2025 the Irvington Board of Trustees approved a new Native Plant Policy. While this Policy only applies on Village-owned property, it offers guidance and sets an important tone for all residents in the Village and again allows Irvington to be a leader on these issues in Westchester.
